10 Resolutions

A list for my life and encouragement for yours

This list are reflections of my own heart. I put them here for you to read in order to encourage you to do the same. We must become men and women of concrete convictions and resolutions in our hearts. Christ is worth every second of our attention and desires.

1. Seek God's will in all things and prioritize His kingdom above all else.

This life is passing away. The only thing that will matter after this is my joyful praise and enjoyment of Christ, forever. I must keep this in mind in every area of my life. It will help keep things sober and in perspective.

2. Be intentional in the practice of a habitual and vibrant prayer life, spending time with God daily. I must resolve to speak to God regularly. The daily tasks of my life need to be filtered through acknowledging God in them. To be alone in the word and genuinely love Christ.

3. Dive deep into studying and meditating on God's Word, asking for it to transform my mind and heart. I must resolve to do this more than any other thing. This is what keeps my thoughts sober and what keeps me from being distracted by sinful passions.

4. Worship God wholeheartedly, offering Him my praise and adoration in spirit and truth. This can easily only be thought of as a “Sunday Thing”

I resolve to enjoy Christ in my daily work. To sing while I drive or to praise him in my soul while moving. Always considering him as most important. My heart is easily distracted and easily pleased with many things of less importance.

5. Live a life of obedience, surrendering my will to God and aligning my actions with His commands. I resolve to keep clear of anything that will hinder my joy in Christ. I will place his word before me in such a way that will call all of my being into attention. Im not a scholar, or merely an academic. I am a follower and child of a great king. He is the one who has my best in mind. He keeps me from the uselessness of people pleasing. I must resolve to only be concerned with his view of me, and not my own. I will always see myself as too high or too low. My personhood is wrapped up in his existence and goodness. I am because He is. He owns me. In every respect.

6. Love others sacrificially, showing the love of Christ to those around me in both words and deeds. I resolve to be genuine to those around me. I don’t need to live to impress those around me, but to love them. This means I don’t need to change who I am to please them, but to express the best expression of Christ love for them through me. I must lay down my life even if I’m irritated while I do it. My flesh fights service. I resolve to wage war against the resistance to love.

7. Pursue holiness, asking the Holy Spirit to work in me and conform me to the image of Christ. I resolve to stay away from every form of evil. Whether in speech or in appearance or in action. I must protect my eyes and my heart from everything that is contrary to Christ. I must remember holiness is for my good, not to withhold anything from me. Christ cares for me like I care for my children. This is important to remember. I must resolve to embrace his care for me.

8. Serve others selflessly, using my gifts and talents to bless and meet the needs of others. This is a resolve that is strongly related to the loving others sacrificially, but I resolve to not let fear hinder me from doing good to those around me. My insecurities are not an excuse for a lack of love.

9. Seek reconciliation and forgiveness, making amends and extending grace to those who have wronged me. I resolve to do my best to live at peace with all men, when it is my power to do so. This involves letting many offenses roll off my shoulders. This also requires the resistance to defend myself. I must cling to Christ and entrust my life to him. My position is of a servant and needs to be in the mindset of humility.

10. Share the gospel boldly, proclaiming Jesus as the only way to salvation and inviting others to know Him. I resolve to share the gospel with anyone, anytime the time arises. I carry the most valuable message in my heart and mind and should find it a privilege to share it. Let Christ be glorified in my life.